Common Language Research Articles

The Opinio Juris and Opinio Moris in the Anglo-American Interventions During the Greek Civil War: An Archival Study of Legal Narratives

Abstract This article investigates the British and American interventions in Greece during the Greek Civil War, examining their legal and moral justifications. Using archival documents, the study uncovers two primary layers of discourse: the official diplomatic language of opinio juris (conviction of legality) and opinio moris (conviction of morality), alongside the covert political interests that drove these interventions. The research argues that British and American actions were primarily motivated by a ‘conviction of interest,’ with legal and moral narratives used tactically to justify their interventions. The archival materials reveal a notable lack of empathy and understanding from British and American officials regarding the trauma endured by the Greek populace due to the German occupation and collaborationist violence. Additionally, there was a significant neglect of the will of the Greek people. The study critically examines the Caserta and Civil Affairs Agreements, which provided a legal basis for British intervention, arguing that these agreements, when viewed in light of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, fail to justify the extent of foreign interference, thus questioning the authenticity of Greek consent. The article also explores the transition from British to American dominance in Greek affairs. As Britain faced economic constraints after the end of WWII, it ceded its role to the U.S., leading to the formulation of the Truman Doctrine and the implementation of the Marshall Plan. The U.S. intervention is analyzed through legal and geopolitical lenses, revealing a strategic focus on preventing communist expansion rather than providing purely legal or moral support for Greece’s recovery. Similar to British actions, American involvement often overlooked the political situation and the will of the Greek people, thereby contributing to prolonged instability.

Transnational Research Infrastructure

This paper discusses best practices in the development and operation of the network of Knowledge centres within the framework of the transnational and cross-disciplinary CLARIN Knowledge Infrastructure. A Knowledge centre is an institution or a collective of institutions which “have agreed to share their knowledge and expertise with others” (Branco et al. 2023), which has been certified by Common Language Resources and Technology Infrastructure CLARIN, and which has an established website providing the users with information on the offered services and contact forms. Currently, there are 28 Knowledge centres from different countries covering a wide range of topics, offering various research and training related services and organised as either a virtual centre of one or several institutional partners in one country or distributed across multiple countries. This paper aims to present this rich diversity of the research infrastructure and its state-of-the-art by reviewing existing Knowledge centres and their areas of expertise, describing the activities initiated by CLARIN to strengthen K-centre networking, showcasing different types of K-centres, and presenting the operation and collaboration practices shared by K-centres in their annual reports.

Students’ attitudes to lecturers’ English in Englishmedium higher education in Denmark

This study examines the evaluative reactions of university students to their nonnative lecturers’ English skills in English-medium instruction, i.e. when English is used as a lingua franca in an academic context. In particular, we examine the relationship between perceptions of English language proficiency and perceptions of general lecturing competence (defined here as knowledge of subject and teaching skills). Statistical analyses of 1,700 student responses to 31 non-native English-speaking lecturers at a major business school in Denmark revealed that the students’ perceptions of the lecturers’ English language proficiency is a significant predictor of their perceptions of the lecturers’ general lecturing competence and vice versa. We interpret this as a two-way relationship caused by speech stereotypes similar to those which have been demonstrated in socialpsychological experiments. This effect should be addressed when universities use student ratings to evaluate teaching in English-medium content courses.

International Sign: Nature and Nomenclature

This article explores the nature of International Sign (IS), a linguistic phenomenon emerging from international deaf interactions. It examines various terms such as Gestuno, cross-signing, International Sign, and International Sign Language, revealing differing perspectives on IS as a lexicon, a language, or a dynamic process. The debate on IS's classification draws parallels with contact languages, lingua francas, and national sign languages. The discussion extends to methodological approaches in IS research, contrasting studies focused on IS as a product with those exploring IS as a process and considering how the combination of experimental and ethnographic studies enriches the understanding of IS's nature. I conclude that despite ongoing debates regarding its linguistic status, the role of IS as a lingua franca indicates a future in which it may gain broader recognition and wider influence.

面向华裔学生的“听说+读写”中文教学模式探析——以印尼共同希望语言学院2023级大专班为例

<div><p>Teaching model is one of the key factors to improve teaching quality. In view of the tendency of the current international Chinese teaching model to focus on structure and knowledge, but not on pragmatics and ability, the Chinese Language and Literature College of Jinan University in China has innovated a set of "listening and speaking + reading and writing" Chinese teaching model. This model focuses on the mutual coordination of "listening and speaking" and "reading and writing", aiming to quickly improve students' Chinese communication ability. This model has been first practiced overseas at the Common Hope Language School in Indonesia. This article mainly introduces the model and the teaching steps of the listening and speaking class in this model, and uses the students' actual grades to demonstrate the feasibility of this teaching model. The study shows that after about 6 months of intensive study in this model, students' Chinese listening and speaking ability has made significant progress. This model helps to improve the listening and speaking ability of Chinese beginners in a short period of time.<strong></strong></p></div>

Development and Preliminary Validation of a Central Venous Access Device-Associated Skin Impairment Classification Tool Using Modified Delphi and Clinimetric Methods.

An evidence and consensus-based instrument is needed to classify central venous access device-associated skin impairments. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate the central venous access device-associated skin impairment classification tool. A two-phase modified Delphi study. This two-phase study consisted of a literature review, followed by the development and validation of a classification instrument, by experts in the fields of central venous access devices and wound management (Phase 1). The instrument was tested (Phase 2) using 38 clinical photographs of a range of relevant skin impairments by the same expert panel. The expert panel consisted of registered nurses who were clinical researchers (n = 4) and clinical experts (n = 3) with an average of 24 years of nursing and research experience and 11 years of experience in wound management. Measures to assess preliminary content validity and inter-rater reliability were used. The instrument consists of five overarching aetiological classifications, including contact dermatitis, mechanical injury, infection, pressure injury and complex clinical presentation, with 14 associated subcategory diagnoses (e.g., allergic dermatitis, skin tear and local infection), with definitions and signs and symptoms. High agreement was achieved for preliminary scale content validity and item content validity (I-CVI = 1). Inter-rater reliability of aetiologies was high. The overall inter-rater reliability of individual definitions and signs and symptoms had excellent agreement. The development and preliminary validation of this classification tool provide a common language to guide the classification and assessment of central venous access device-associated skin impairment. The comprehensive and validated classification tool will promote accurate identification of central venous access device-associated skin impairment by establishing a common language for healthcare providers. The availability of this tool can reduce clinical uncertainty, instances of misdiagnosis and the potential for mismanagement. Consequently, it will play a pivotal role in guiding clinical decision-making, ultimately enhancing the quality of treatment and improving patient outcomes. The Guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies (CREDES) was adhered to. No patient or public contribution.

‘It’s a matter of personal attitudes rather than speakers’ nativeness’: Korean professionals’ perceptions of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in English as a Business Lingua Franca (BELF) communication

ABSTRACT This study explores the perceptions of intercultural communicative competence (ICC) among Korean professionals in English as a business lingua franca (BELF) communication. The findings highlight the participants' emphasis on the importance of fluency, focusing primarily on the functional aspects of fluency rather than native-like proficiency. The analysis also indicates that the ability to accommodate others plays a crucial role in achieving effective ICC in BELF, facilitating the resolution of variability and misunderstandings. Consequently, communicative competence in BELF requires enhanced flexibility and adaptability, enabling professionals to develop the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes to comprehend and navigate cultural and linguistic diversity.

Iowa’s Integrated Data System for Decision-Making (I2D2): a collaborative approach for responsible and relevant use of population data

Integrated data systems (IDS) bring together people, processes, and priorities in a disciplined approach to generate evidence about child and family needs and service system gaps. In response to pressure for more efficiently coordinated early childhood services, Iowa built an IDS as a collaborative effort between university researchers and government leaders. Iowa’s Integrated Data System for Decision-Making (I2D2) includes an engaged governance approach that has received national attention as a model for ensuring federal and state priorities direct the work, rigorous scientific standards are used, and community engaged users have access to the information they need when they need it. This presentation will describe I2D2’s governance and technology solutions and provide examples of cyclical, community-engaged projects that have informed program improvement. Multi-stage integration protocols ensure individual records from disparate systems in health, education, child welfare, and workforce are accurately matched within a process that attends to equity. Dissemination processes within communities of practitioners, executive leaders, and researchers ensure findings are relevant and used to drive strategic planning. Public facing dashboards and interactive applications display prioritized indicators and support improved data literacy and common language across partner groups. Examples of use will be discussed including the evolution of a statewide strategic planning process using integrated data indicators, evidence-based expansion of home visiting programming to meet the needs of underserved families, and support for sustainable childcare businesses through the availability of real-time vacancy, supply, and demand data and easy to access applications for families to find available care when they need it.

Anatomical Evaluation of Proximal Femur Fractures in Trauma Patients Aged 65 or Older Admitted to the Emergency Department

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to assess the association between classification systems for proximal femur fractures and mid-term mortality in elderly patients, focusing on their clinical and anatomical aspects. Materials and methods: Radiological images of patients aged 65 years and older who underwent surgical procedures for proximal femur fractures were reviewed. Various classification systems were applied, including Anatomical, Pipkin, Garden, Evans-Jensen, Seinsheimer, and AO/OTA classifications. Electronic hospital records provided patient data, and statistical analyses were performed. Results: The study included 298 patients, and the mean age was 81.7±7.3 years, and 63,1% were female. Median length of stay in hospital 7(1-63) days, 19.1% requiring intensive care, and a 13.8% mortality rate within 3 months. Patients were distributed based on anatomical classification, and the distribution of intracapsular and extracapsular fractures according to clinical classifications was detailed. The findings suggest that proximal femur fracture classification systems do not significantly influence mortality rates (p=0.787). Conclusion: Anatomical classification systems may be favored for their simplicity and potential to establish a common language among healthcare professionals. This study provides valuable insights into proximal femur fractures in elderly patients, informing clinical practice.

Combinatorial summation of Feynman diagrams

Feynman’s diagrammatic series is a common language for a formally exact theoretical description of systems of infinitely-many interacting quantum particles, as well as a foundation for precision computational techniques. Here we introduce a universal framework for efficient summation of connected or skeleton Feynman diagrams for generic quantum many-body systems. It is based on an explicit combinatorial construction of the sum of the integrands by dynamic programming, at a computational cost that can be made only exponential in the diagram order on a classical computer and potentially polynomial on a quantum computer. We illustrate the technique by an unbiased diagrammatic Monte Carlo calculation of the equation of state of the 2D SU(N) Hubbard model in an experimentally relevant regime, which has remained challenging for state-of-the-art numerical methods.

The practical use of artificial intelligence in Transfusion Medicine and Apheresis

BackgroundBlood and plasma volume calculations are a daily part of practice for many Transfusion Medicine and Apheresis practitioners. Though many formulas exist, each facility may have their own modifications to consider. ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) provides a new and exciting pathway for those with no programming experience to create personalized programs to meet the demands of daily practice. Additionally, this pathway creates computer programs that provide accurate and reproducible outputs. Herein, we aimed to create a step-by-step process for clinicians to create customized computer programs for use in everyday practice. MethodsWe created a process of inputs to ChatGPT-40, which generated computer programming code. This code was copied and pasted into Notepad (and saved as a Python file) and Google Colaboratory to verify functionality. We validated the durability of our process by repeating it over a 5-day timeframe and by recruiting volunteers to reproduce our outputs using the suggested process. ResultsComputer code generated by ChatGPT-40 in response to our common language inputs was accurate and durable over time. The code was fully functional in both Python and Colaboratory. Volunteers reproduced our process and outputs with minimal assistance. ConclusionWe analyzed the practical application of ChatGPT-40 and artificial intelligence (AI) to perform daily calculations encountered in Transfusion Medicine. Our results provide a proof of concept that people with no programming experience can create customizable solutions for their own facilities. Our future work will expand to the creation of comprehensive and customizable websites designed for each individual user.

Contribution of the English Language to Advancing Travel and Tourism

This article explores the intricate relationship between language and tourism, focusing on the role of English as a global lingua franca in facilitating communication and cultural exchange. While English is often viewed as a colonial language used for resource exploitation, its knowledge is a resource that attracts and facilitates tourists, enriching tourism. The research questions address how English has become integral to tourism and its impacts on tourist experiences and destination choices. The study employs a historical and sociolinguistic analysis, examining the historical, political and economic factors contributing to the globalization of English. The paper emphasizes the importance of effective communication in tourism, illustrating how language proficiency in English enhances tourist experiences and influences destination selection. Additionally, it highlights the significance of linguistic diversity in enriching the tourism experience and promoting inclusivity. Findings indicate that English proficiency significantly enhances tourist experiences while linguistic diversity adds value to tourism. The paper advocates for sustainable tourism practices that embrace cultural and linguistic diversity. Overall, it calls for a deeper understanding of the interplay between language and tourism to foster cultural appreciation and sustainable tourism practices globally.

ThP6.19 - Surgical Management in Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Sinus Disease Depending on The Suggested Staging System

Abstract Background The ideal management of the PNS has not been established yet. However; The optimal method should cover rapid recovery and return to normal daily activities, low recurrence rate, be technically applicable with reasonable cost. Aim to evaluate outcomes with the use of a stage-based treatment approach. Method A cohort prospective analytical study was conducted at Basrah Teaching Hospital-Iraq, a total of 71 patients were operated based on the proposed staging system in the period between December 2018 to April 2022, the staging system (Stage I–IV) was defined by using the morphological extent. the collected data includes demographic, perioperative data, short and long-term outcomes. Results Stage IV had the highest abscess drainage, drain insertion, and hospital stay. Concerning the short and long-term complications, the following frequencies were observed: Collection (9.85%), Infection (8.45%), and Dehiscence (4.22%), the collection and dehiscence were highest among stage R while the lowest rate of collection and infection was among stage III cases (6.67%, 6.67%) accordingly. Primary healing was recorded (91.5%) among the overall included patients with the higher rates of stage II-a (100.0%) with the lowest being among stage R (71.4%). Stage IV patients experienced the longest time for functional recovery and wound healing (14.25± 7.13, 13.25± 7.27) accordingly. The Recurrence rate was (2.81%) commonly observed among stage II-a (16.67%). Conclusion PNS is a recognizable condition in our locality and presents in different stages, thus this proposed staging system categorizes its extent and is a valuable tool in tailoring surgical approaches to each stage, Furthermore, it provides a common language for the surgeon to communicate about the disease.

Developing a shared language: a proposed guide to frame early implementation science collaboration discussions.

Miscommunication between health care practitioners and implementation researchers can lead to a mismatch of expectations and understandings, resulting in wasted research and frustration. Conversely, combining the expertise and knowledge of those working in health care practice and implementation research can deliver context informed research questions and appropriate study designs. Achieving this ambition requires a shared language. We sought to develop a guide to identify a common language to constructively explore nascent implementation research concepts. We set up a working group, comprising of implementation researchers, health care practitioners and operational managers, to work through ideas generation, debate and a consensus process to generate and refine a discussion guide. The resultant guide steps health care practitioners and implementation researchers through a three-phase enquiry - Question 1: What is the implementation question? Question 2: What is the proposed implementation solution? And Question 3: How can the investigation of this idea be resourced? At each step, the health care practitioner and implementation researcher collaborate to include theory and practice and rigorously work through the question to build implementation on evidence and to promote diverse stakeholder engagement. The next steps for this study will be operationalising the discussion guide, as an interactive tool. Future evaluation, to test effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility will be designed with health care practitioners and implementation researchers.

Transdisciplinary and systemic construction of a framework for assessing the sustainability of alternative food networks in Mexico City

ABSTRACT This paper describes and analyzes the process and results of the construction of a framework to assess the sustainability of alternative food networks in Mexico City, using a transdisciplinary and systemic approach. We generated a practical tool with twenty-two evaluation criteria linked to five themes: “care for nature and waste reduction;” “equity and economic viability;” “quality, diversity and local products;” “social equity, transparency and democracy,” and “learning and collaboration.” Our method allowed us to develop common languages and context-appropriate tools for sustainability assessment; identify trade-offs and leverage points; and promote collective learning in alternative food networks.

Implementation of the psycho-existential symptom assessment scale in palliative care: Qualitative analysis of stakeholders perspectives

ObjectivesTo explore 1) perspectives of feasibility, acceptability, integration and sustainability of the Psycho-existential Symptom Assessment Scale (PeSAS); 2) barriers and benefits of PeSAS in its real-world performance; and 3) clinician confidence and perceived competency in using PeSAS. MethodsThirty-one key stakeholders from nine palliative care services who participated in the implementation of the PeSAS were purposefully sampled and participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was managed using the Determinants Framework. ResultsBenefits of PeSAS were a common language enhancing communication, identifying symptoms of psycho-existential distress, initiating referral, providing acknowledgement for previously unrecognised distress and enhancing patient agency. Key barriers were the availability of skilled clinicians, patient characteristics such as delirium and phase of illness, avoidance of confronting end-of-life conversations, information technology resourcing, and reduced engagement due to language, culture and health literacy. ConclusionScreening using the PeSAS is feasible and acceptable once clinicians are adequately trained to administer it. Our study highlights the benefits of qualitative enquiry in developing and implementing new interventions. Practice ImplicationsThe identification and management of psycho-existential symptoms should be part of routine practice in palliative care. However, adequate staff training, resourcing, referral pathways and implementation process and outcome assessments are important to ensure sustainability.

UNDERSTANDING LITERATURE VIA LINGUISTIC LENSES: THE EXPLORATION OF LANGUAGE APPROPRIATION STRATEGIES IN TARIQ RAHMAN'S MAMOON JI

The research paper explores different appropriation strategies of English language in Pakistani English literature. The research examined various appropriating techniques and the reasons behind using these techniques in short story Mamoon Ji by Tariq Rahman. English has become the lingua franca in the world. So, the writers tend to appropriate language in their writings from all over the world. The same phenomenon has been observed by the researchers in Tariq Rahman’s writing. The researchers analyze the text and apply Ashcroft’s theory of appropriation (2002) to investigate five appropriation strategies like glossing, untranslated words, syntactic fusion, vernacular transcription as well as code-switching. Many Urdu words have been analyzed along with Arabic words and Punjabi phrases at lexical and sentence levels. The focus remains on how Rahman employs the language appropriation techniques to convey themes, represents cultural contexts, and construct characters. The study provides the significant information in examining the issues, extracting desired information & reaching outcomes. The outcome of current study has far-reaching implications from different viewpoints as it can be useful for pedagogy in teaching Pakistani English literature.

Co-evolutive Resilience: The Hidden Identity of Phoenicia

Finiq is the biggest town in its municipality and has served as an administrative center for various years. Most of the dwellings are placed during the 1990-2000 decade, referring to the previous and the current maps. Because of massive emigration trends in the past, there are many abandoned and unfinished houses. The uninhabited villages that have been abandoned in recent decades make up a serious problem, which is all too common in many Balkan countries. As a result, various buildings are semi-finished and in a degraded state, both architectural and structural. Also, on top of the hill of Finiq, there is an archeological site of the old Phoenicia city. It serves as the main touristic attraction for the town, along with the bucolic scene of the countryside. By analyzing the territory of Finiq we figured out that there is a hidden identity of the urban structure. As the town lays morphologically on the strip, it fragmentises from the second and third row of buildings, showing a “missed typological block”. On the other hand, it shows the creation of spontaneous empty spaces, that suggest this hidden spirit of the town, created imaginatively by connecting them. The simple disposal of each building to the nearest one creates what Franco Purini calls the “border distance”, a distance that, like in Michelangelo’s fresco, creates a necessary situation for one to feel the magnetic force of attraction or repulsion between the two bodies. The space where this magnetic force is exerted is the key point from which to draw the hidden spirit of Finiq. It is precisely the shape of that space that will determine the rules for the evolution of the town's identity. We will analyze in this paper how this space "between" can “co-evolve” if the institutions and the people who live there find a common language to reinvent a new but existing architecture of the place. As spotted in the analysis, we can confirm that there is an identity in Finiq. A “hidden spirit” lies in empty and fragmented spaces. It’s a millennial town, therefore something stronger than the constructions exists there. The resilience of the context’s form, space, and time coexist in lost identity, which we can strongly expose by intervening surgically. the co-evolution of these public spaces must start from precise rules which, through the careful analysis of the architect and urban planner, must be able to direct the inevitable spontaneity of the place’s history, without having a drastic top- down effect.

Perspectives of ELF-informed teachers in Taiwan

Abstract English as a lingua franca (ELF) represents a substantial paradigm shift in ELT because it challenges the traditional norm of standard English. Despite this changing trend, there is a gap in research on incorporating ELF into in-service teachers’ professional development (PD). Given the backdrop that (trans)disciplinary courses are expected to be taught in English in compulsory K-12 education due to the Bilingual 2030 Policy in Taiwan, this paper proposes an ELF-informed PD model and specifically examines English teachers’ perspectives before, during, and after their participation in the first nationwide bilingual in-service teachers’ PD programme. We observe a growing recognition of ELF concepts among teachers, which is evident in their understanding of the pedagogic challenges and implicit tensions in ELF practice, their validating senses of being ELF teachers, and their critical reflection on ELF-informed pedagogy. The enhanced understanding highlights an alternative approach to transforming the ‘E’ in EFL.

Virtually borderless? Cultural proximity and international collaboration of developers

Are national borders an impediment to online collaboration in the knowledge economy? Unlike in goods trade, knowledge workers can collaborate fully virtually, such that border effects might be eliminated. Here we study collaboration patterns of some 144,000 European developers on the largest online code repository platform, GitHub. To assess the presence of border effects we deploy a gravity model that explains developers’ inter-regional collaboration networks. We find a sizable border effect of −16.4%, which is, however, five to six times smaller than in trade. The border effect is entirely explained by cultural factors such as common language, shared interests, and historical ties. The international border effect in Europe is significantly larger than the state border effect in the US, where cross-border cultural differences are much less pronounced, further strengthening our conjecture that culture is a main driver of the border effect in virtual collaboration.